Why India does not need Shardul Thakur or Nitish Reddy to test God

Neither Shardul Thakur nor Nitish Kumar Reddy got to justify their inclusion into the playing XI the ENG vs IND 1st and 2nd Test. Partly it was because of their failures and majorly because they were underutilized. One that that we saw the Edgbaston was that the Indian XI in that game was well-oiled with contributions coming in from all quarters. While India do need to make one change to accommodate Jasprit Bumrah in the Lord’s Test, they have one option whom they could axe easily.

Nitish, Shardul not needed for Lord’s Test

Shardul made his return to the Indian Test side for the first time since 2023 in the 1st Test in Leeds. However, while he was included as a pure bowler, he was used only for 16 overs in 2 innings, out of which he managed to take just 2 wickets. With the bat, he only 1 and 4 runs while coming out at number 8.

He was then dropped from the playing XI for ENG vs IND 2nd Test in place of Nitish Reddy. Amid experts targeting captain Gill for underutilizing Shardul in the Leeds Test, a change was made and a pure batter Reddy was named in the playing XI. He managed to score just 2 runs in 2 innings and bowled just 6 overs in the game. He, too, game out to bat down the order – at number 7.

Both these all-rounders, whether they are considered pure batter or bowler, need not be in the playing XI.

Besides, Washington Sundar made more impact than both these all-rounders, at least with the bat, with a handy 42-run knock in the 1st innings. As of now India’s line-up until number 6 is surely confirmed – Jaiswal, Rahul, Sai Sudharsan/Karun Nair, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.

Now, India could easily promote Sundar to number 8 and have Bumrah in their line-up by getting rid of Reddy or Thakur. Or, they could add an extra batter by benching another member from the playing XI along with Nitish or Shardul in the form of Dhruv Jurel.